A Fresh controversy has emerged within the Landless People’s Movement (LPM) after the party ordered one of its senior officials in Keetmanshoop to immediately return a vehicle assigned to him for party duties.
The directive, contained in a letter dated 10 June and seen by The Namibian, was addressed to the party’s second deputy operative secretary, Guame Stephanus.
The development comes just days after the LPM recalled Keetmanshoop mayor Melody Swartbooi, a move that has triggered questions and demands for clarity from the initiators of the action.
In the letter, the party instructs Stephanus to park the vehicle at its Kronlein office without delay.
“You are hereby issued this letter to park the party vehicle immediately at the party office at Kronlein.
The vehicle was allocated to you for party activities.
Kindly confirm the instructions to this letter to avoid further actions to be constituted,” the letter reads.
Speaking to The Namibian, Stephanus confirms receiving the instruction, as well as another letter directing him to hand the vehicle over to another official.
“I don’t know who leaked the letters, however, I can confirm I received a letter to park the vehicle and another demand letter to hand over the vehicle to someone else,” he says.
Stephanus says the directives were issued without any explanatory note, raising concerns about the motive behind the decision.
“The vehicle is assigned to me and under my supervision.
I will respond officially to the party’s operative secretary, Dawid Eigub, and request a detailed explanation as to why this is happening all of a sudden,” he says.
Stephanus questions whether the move could be linked to his public support for the former mayor.
“Is it because I stand in solidarity with the mayor of Keetmanshoop that’s been recalled or what? He must give an explanation,” he says.
While it is understood that Stephanus and Swartbooi are in a romantic relationship, he dismisses suggestions that their personal ties could be the focus of the action.
“The issue is not whether we are dating or not. We have worked together on matters affecting the community, including the Namdeb saga and the Konjore magistrate issue.
This is about principle,” he says.
He argues that the reasons behind Swartbooi’s recall remain unclear and should also be made public.
Meanwhile, LPM national spokesperson Lifalaza Simataa denies reports of internal divisions, saying the vehicle’s reassignment is a routine administrative matter.
“The vehicle is needed for other party activities. The letter is simply a formality informing the current user that it is being redeployed,” Simataa says.
He explains that the party operates with limited resources and frequently reallocates vehicles according to operational needs.
Simataa also dismisses rumours that Stephanus could face expulsion from the party.
“Not to my knowledge. The instruction is a routine activity, and there is no information through party channels regarding the removal of that individual,” he says.
